Another Letter From the Soldiers at London

London, Nov 23, 1914
The Aylmer Express

Dear Editor,-
We thought that we would write you of our experience from Aylmer to London and while in Camp. As far as St Thomas you have already heard what happened through Harold Barnum, who accompanied us that far. Nothing happened from there to London, except “Are we downhearted?” “NO.”

On our arrival at the G.T.R. station here we were met by Lieut-Col. Brown, and a company of infantry, which escorted us to 46 Queen’s Park. They sang “It’s a long way to Tipperary’ and we finished with “it’s a long way to St. Helena.”

We were taken directly to our barrack-room and only had to wait about one hour for dinner, which was a lunch consisting of a little jam and a couple of slices of ‘punk.’ Some dinner. Now we are squared away and everything is running very smooth. Jack Wallis is a good cook and feeds us very well, there being no fault found with the grub.

We were roused out of bed at 6.30 each morning. Then we make up our cots and sweep out, go out at 7 o’clock for half-hour drill, have breakfast at eight, bacon, jam, punk and coffee. From 9-10 we have foot-drill, then a half-hour rest. Then from 10.30 to 11.30 we get some more. We get dinner at 12.30 which is a change every day. From 2-3 o’clock we drill again, than another recess. Then from 3.30 to 4.30 which is the last drill of the day. We get our supper at 5 o’clock. Any time after 5 o’clock we can leave the grounds without a pass but we must be in at 9.30.

We were told by an officer it was better to get a pass to 12 o’clock than to go down town meet a friend and stay out later than 9.30 for that means guard house. The officers are very nice men but we won’t say they are any better than Col. Brown.

Charles Dingle and some of the boys from Aylmer are on fatigue duty today, the rest will get theirs after a while. There is about 3 inches of snow here so we did not drill, had lectures by the officers instead. Our barrack-room is heated with two furnaces, dining room with one. Off the barrack-room is the shower baths, hot and cold.

The Y.M.C.A have a canteen where we can buy anything we want. They put on a picture show every night which is free. They also supply writing paper and ink. If it is not too much trouble to you would you ask the S.O.E. lodge if we could have the old flag from their room?

Thanking you in advance for the space and wishing the Express great prosperity, we remain.

THE AYLMER BOYS

Alfred Benson, Harry Richardson (Highland Mary), John Wallis, (Head Cook), John Denton, Harold Duxbury, John Parker, Charles Dingle, James Sweeting, Thomas Cornish, George Morden, Samuel Hawkins, E. Brear, Luther Cooper, Harry Lacey, Gerald Tighe, Albert Victor Weir, Sid Hudson, Reuben H. Pope, Roland Gatward, R.H. Brackstone, W.J. Such, G.R. Smith, W.R. Smith, F. Ferris, D. Dunnett, C Robinson.

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Published November 26, 1914

Letter to the Editor

Aylmer Express Newspaper

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Sue's note: This would be London, ONTARIO.

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1913 first Charlie Chaplin movies made, David Copperfield, Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde – 1913: silent films - Home Sweet Home, Spartacus, Essential Charlie Chaplin 1914. Allow me to fictionalize here. Could this be one of the movies the boys watched in the evening?

The New Janitor (1914)

Embedded from YouTube.  No copyright infringement is intended.

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